Melbourne to have "free tram zone" in 2015

1 January 2015 Fare changes - Public Transport Victoria: "In 2015, Victoria’s public transport network will be more focused on you than ever before.

With a new Free Tram Zone in Melbourne City and cheaper fares when travelling across Zone 1 and 2, getting around Melbourne has never been easier, or more affordable."

Don't put roads first, Senate finds, public transport is crucial

Brisbanetimes : "The federal government should not prioritise roads over rail projects, but should be willing to fund both according to  merit, a Senate report has recommended.

The report found that public transport is crucial to raising national productivity by reducing congestion and "should be considered as nationally significant infrastructure", just as roads are.

The Senate report, released this month after a 12-month inquiry, has emerged as new Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews and Prime Minister Tony Abbott face off over $3 billion of federal funds Canberra has committed to the cancelled East West Link."

Tony Abbott should change tune on public transport says industry group

Bega District News: "The federal government needs to start funding public transport, the industry lobby says  as it releases a report showing the area around a new Sydney rail line has grown faster than the rest of the city."

Frankston independent MP Geoff Shaw floats free public transport for pensioners Herald Sun

Herald Sun: "ELDERLY rights campaigner John Murray has joined forces with rogue MP Geoff Shaw to table a bill to help ease the burden on elderly commuters.

The Frankston MP yesterday announced he would submit a private members bill to give Victoria’s elderly population free travel on public transport if he was re-elected in November."

Push for free public transport during G20

brisbanetimes : "Momentum is building for public transport to be free in Brisbane throughout the three days of the G20 world leaders summit next month.

Commuter advocacy group Rail Back on Track has called for free public transport in the city throughout the three days, reasoning that Brisbane residents should be afforded the same opportunity as the 7000 summit delegates, who will all be given Go Cards for travel through the period."

Best way to encourage use of public transport is to make it free

Newcastle Herald: "THE best way to encourage people to leave their cars at home is by building cycleways suitable for daily commuting and developing fast, free and safe public transport systems.

Such measures would result in fewer accidents, faster travel times and cleaner air."

Australia needs public transport, not more traffic

Victorian election: this time, can we please talk about public transport?

The Guardian: "The evidence from around the world shows that cities that build their transport systems around public transport find that transport costs are less of a drain on the regional economy than those that put the car at the centre of their transport plans.

This is in part because of the huge public cost of building and maintaining roads, combined with the private costs of owning and running the family fleet of cars. It is also because of the high cost of the social isolation endured by the young, the old, and the increasing number of people who are cut off from jobs, hospitals, and social networks.

Public transport, along with cycling and walking, is part of the solution to transport’s contribution to the climate emergency, the reality of which we are experiencing with increasing frequency."

East West Link project stalls as financiers postpone construction

theage : "The Napthine government's pledge to begin work on the East West Link by the end of the year is in disarray, with financiers close to the project saying construction will be postponed until a looming court case is resolved."

Labor to dump East-West Link if elected, even if contracts are signed

theage : "The East West Link will be dumped if Labor wins the state election, even if business contracts to build the multibillion-dollar road have already been signed.

In a high-stakes gamble that will set a clear battle line for the November 29 poll, Labor has confirmed if it forms government it will use a looming court battle to render the contract for the eastern section of the project invalid."